In Germany, November 9th is often referred to as "Schicksalstag," or Day of Fate. This single date has witnessed pivotal events in German history—moments of both hope and horror that have shaped the nation's path through revolution, dictatorship, war, and peace. From the proclamation of the German Republic in 1918 to the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, November 9th holds profound historical resonance. Despite its importance, however, this day is not a public holiday. Many believe it should be, arguing that it would offer an opportunity to reflect on Germany’s complex past. Let's delve into the events that have made November 9th a date of lasting significance.
Key Events of November 9th
1848: Execution of Robert Blum
On 9 November 1848, Robert Blum, a leader in the March Revolution, was executed in Vienna. The March Revolution was a movement seeking national unity and democratic reforms within the German Confederation. His execution in Vienna symbolized the violent suppression of democratic aspirations, setting a precedent for the challenges that democratic ideals would face in Germany. Blum’s death became emblematic of the struggle against authoritarianism and foreshadowed the difficult road that lay ahead for democracy in Germany.
1918: Proclamation of the German Republic
This is a big one. 9 November 1918 marked the end of the German monarchy and the birth of the Weimar Republic. Facing imminent defeat in World War I, Chancellor Max von Baden announced the abdication of Kaiser Wilhelm II, and Philipp Scheidemann proclaimed the German Republic from a window of the Reichstag. This moment marked the beginning of Germany’s first democratic state, but it also set the stage for the political instability that would plague the Weimar Republic. That same day, Karl Liebknecht, a leader of the radical Spartacus League, declared a "Free Socialist Republic" in Berlin, underscoring the political divide. The struggles of this period laid the foundation for Germany’s first attempt at democratic governance, although the Weimar Republic would ultimately fall to the Nazi regime. That same year, Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg founded the newspaper Die Rote Fahne in Berlin as the official organ of the Spartacus League (Spartakusbund), a revolutionary socialist group advocating for the rights of the working class. The newspaper became instrumental in promoting the ideals of socialism and played a significant role in the political discourse of the Weimar Republic, emphasizing the necessity of class struggle and workers' rights. Join my Weimar Berlin Tour to learn more!
Deutsche Postkarte ca. 1918/19. Sammlung Superikonoskop.
1923: The Beer Hall Putsch
Another key moment in Germany's 20th century history: Adolf Hitler's first attempt to seize power took place on 9 November 1923, in what became known as the Beer Hall Putsch. Hitler and his National Socialist followers attempted to overthrow the democratic government in Munich. Sixteen Nazis and four police officers lost their lives. Though Hitler was arrested and sentenced to prison, where he wrote Mein Kampf, the incident marked a turning point in his rise to prominence. After coming to power in 1933, Hitler declared November 9 a day of remembrance for the "blood martyrs" of the Nazi movement, making it a national holiday in the Third Reich.
Bundesarchiv, Bild 119-1486 / CC-BY-SA 3.0
1938: Kristallnacht
The main reason why 9 November is NOT a public holiday: Known as the Night of Broken Glass, 9 November 1938 marked the beginning of a violent pogrom against Jewish communities across Germany and Austria. Synagogues, Jewish businesses, and homes were destroyed, and thousands of Jewish men were sent to concentration camps. It signaled a horrifying escalation in state-sponsored antisemitism. Kristallnacht was a tragic turning point, signaling the Nazi regime’s shift from discrimination to the open persecution of Jews, which would culminate in the Holocaust. Today, November 9th is a solemn remembrance day for these tragic events and the lives lost. Join my WW2 or Jewish Berlin tour to learn more.
1939: Georg Elser’s Assassination Attempt
On the night of 8 November 1939, Georg Elser, a German carpenter and anti-Nazi activist, attempted to alter the course of history by carrying out a daring assassination plot against Adolf Hitler. Elser meticulously crafted a time bomb and concealed it within a pillar at Munich’s Bürgerbräukeller, the beer hall where Hitler gave his annual speech commemorating the anniversary of the 1923 Beer Hall Putsch. However, fate intervened when Hitler, due to unforeseen travel changes, shortened his speech and left the hall just 13 minutes before the bomb exploded. The powerful blast killed eight people and injured 63, but Hitler and his entourage narrowly escaped unharmed. Elser’s arrest came almost immediately. That same evening, he was apprehended at the Swiss border, carrying tools and sketches that pointed to his involvement in the bombing. The very next day, on November 9, while Elser languished under brutal interrogation, Nazi officials in Munich held an annual ceremony commemorating the "martyrs" of the Beer Hall Putsch. On my WW2 tour we will visit his memorial.
1942: German Forces Reach the Volga in the Pivotal Battle of Stalingrad
On November 9, 1942, after months of intense combat and devastating losses on both sides, German forces under General Friedrich Paulus managed to push through to the banks of the Volga River, seizing roughly 90% of Stalingrad. The brutal urban warfare had turned the city into a ruined battlefield, with the Germans gaining control over key areas and effectively dividing the remaining Soviet forces into two small, isolated pockets. Despite their severe disadvantage, Soviet troops held onto their fragmented positions with tenacity, marking a turning point in the conflict. The German advance to the river symbolized the high-water mark of Nazi ambitions in the East, but it also stretched their resources to a breaking point. Soviet forces, reinforced by the imminent Operation Uranus, would soon launch a counteroffensive that would surround and decimate the German 6th Army, making Stalingrad one of the most decisive defeats for Germany in World War II and a significant moment of resistance against Nazi expansion.
1967: Student Protest in Hamburg
A protest at the University of Hamburg in 1967 became a crucial moment in West Germany’s student movement and the broader societal push for reform. The protest was notably symbolized by the banner reading "Unter den Talaren – Muff von 1000 Jahren" ("Under the gowns – mustiness of a thousand years"), a provocative reference to the lingering authoritarianism in Germany’s educational and political institutions. This phrase captured the frustration of a generation that had grown disillusioned with the older establishment, which they saw as unwilling to confront the legacies of fascism and conservatism left over from the Nazi era. The protest and its striking message became rallying points for the 1968 movement, inspiring students across the country to demand academic freedom, democratic reforms, and a more open confrontation with Germany’s recent past.
1969: Berlin Bomb Attempt
In 1969, a left-wing extremist group planted a bomb at a Jewish community center in Berlin. Although the bomb failed to detonate, the incident was a troubling signal of rising extremism and radicalization in West Germany. At a time of growing polarization between left- and right-wing factions, the attack sparked widespread concern about the political climate, drawing particular attention to the emerging threat of left-wing extremism. This incident, as well as others that followed, highlighted the growing danger posed by radical elements willing to use violence for ideological purposes, ultimately leading to greater government vigilance and public awareness around the risks of extremist violence, particularly against marginalized groups like Jewish communities.
1974: Escalation of RAF Violence in Germany
The death of Holger Meins, a key member of the Red Army Faction (RAF), in 1974 after a prolonged hunger strike marked a significant escalation in the conflict between the RAF and the West German government. His death became a rallying cry for the RAF and its sympathizers, who saw him as a martyr of the revolutionary cause. The government’s handling of the incident was widely criticized, further deepening divisions and amplifying radical sentiment within leftist circles. Meins’ death heightened tensions, contributing to a period of intense political violence as the RAF escalated its campaign of bombings, kidnappings, and assassinations in response to what they viewed as state repression.
1989: The Fall of the Berlin Wall
This is one that most Germans still remember: On November 9, 1989, a moment of unprecedented significance marked the end of Cold War divisions when the Berlin Wall, a symbol of separation and oppression, effectively "fell." Earlier that evening, East German authorities, attempting to ease travel restrictions, inadvertently announced that border crossings would open "immediately" without proper preparation or coordination. This miscommunication led thousands of East Berliners to gather at border checkpoints, determined to cross into the West. Overwhelmed and unsure of how to handle the surging crowds, border guards eventually opened the gates. In an instant, people streamed across the wall that had divided families, friends, and a nation for nearly three decades. Joyful East and West Berliners celebrated together atop the wall, hammering at the concrete that had kept them apart for so long. The fall of the Berlin Wall symbolized the victory of peaceful protest and democratic values, sparking a rapid movement toward German reunification and signaling the broader collapse of Communist regimes across Eastern Europe. Within a year, Germany was formally reunified, and November 9 became synonymous with the triumph of freedom over oppression. Join my Berlin Wall tour to learn more!
Why November 9th Is Not a Public Holiday
Despite calls for November 9th to be a national holiday, it remains a day of commemoration rather than celebration. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, some considered making November 9th the official German Unity Day. However, concerns arose that honoring the Wall’s fall could overshadow the memory of Kristallnacht and its victims. Consequently, October 3rd—the day East and West Germany formally united in 1990—became the official holiday instead.
However, some historians and citizens believe these concerns are unfounded. As historian Wolfgang Niess has argued, it’s possible—and necessary—to recognize both the sorrow of 1938 and the joy of 1989 on the same day. November 9th, he suggests, provides an unparalleled opportunity to reflect on Germany’s complex history and the ongoing struggle for democracy and human rights. Indeed, no other day so fully embodies Germany’s journey through triumphs and tragedies, making it an ideal candidate for a national day of remembrance and unity.
The Case for November 9th as a National Holiday
In my view, and shared by several historians, November 9th should indeed be a public holiday. This day uniquely captures the spirit of Germany’s history—the fight for democracy, the warning against dictatorship, and the victory of peaceful resistance. Celebrating November 9th would not diminish the tragedy of Kristallnacht; rather, it would deepen the day’s significance by acknowledging both the dangers of totalitarianism and the resilience of the democratic spirit. As President Frank-Walter Steinmeier remarked, November 9th is an "ambivalent day, a bright and a dark day," reflecting the full spectrum of German history. In Berlin, November 9 has already become a day of remembrance and celebration: we gather to clean Stolpersteine—memorial stones honoring Holocaust victims—and light candles beside them, while also celebrating the fall of the Berlin Wall with festivities at iconic sites like the Brandenburg Gate.
A National Holiday for Reflection and Unity
Establishing November 9th as a holiday would serve multiple purposes. It would provide a structured opportunity for schools, public institutions, and communities to explore Germany’s democratic values, to confront the lessons of its past, and to remember the sacrifices made in the name of freedom and human dignity. This day could evolve into a meaningful commemoration, showing new generations that democracy requires both vigilance and action.
In a country where history weighs heavily, the integration of reflection and celebration on November 9th could offer a unifying annual event. For Germany as an immigration nation, a holiday on this day would symbolize an invitation to all citizens—both old and new—to engage with the country’s principles and past. Honoring November 9th as a national holiday would ensure that the date’s lessons remain prominent in the collective memory, strengthening democratic resolve for years to come.
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